1922 Vega Tubaphone Resonator Tenor Banjo

Overview: This Vega Tubaphone is just how I'd expect one for the time -- bigger rim, pancake (spin-on!) resonator on the back, and short scale. That makes it fairly ideal for American Celtic and old time mandolin players who want to move over to tenor banjo, so we've set it up for GDAE tuning as well. As per the usual for a Vega, the build quality is top notch and it sounds a treat. Everything is original save the bridge and tuners, too.

Repairs included: Tim fixed a little binding at the treble side of the neck near the heel and added a set of fresh Gotoh geared pegs (much better than friction pegs). Jacobi gave it a level/dress of the frets, added side dots, fit a new bridge, and set it all up. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 20 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 7/32"
• Neck shape: medium-deeper soft V
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.89"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.95"
• Head diameter: 11 3/4"
• Depth overall at rim: 3"
• Rim wood: poplar
• Tonering: none
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: It's pretty clean throughout but does show some plating-wear to the hardware and mild wear and tear to the finish as you'd expect for a 100-year-old-plus banjo. There are minor scuffs and scratches here and there throughout. It has its original skin head rather than a synthetic head which means the player may need to tighten it up from time to time. 

It comes with: It's got an old (unoriginal) case.

Consignor tag: TMFR